Whisky/Whiskey

Question 1

What two things do all whiskeys have in common?

Answer 1

They are made from grains and matured in oak.

Question 2

What are the main grains used to make whiskey?

Answer 2

Barely, corn, wheat, and rye

Question 3

What is the process of converting starch to sugar in barley?

Answer 3

Malting

Enzymes are created and convert the starch to sugar.

Question 4

What is wort?

Answer 4

Malted barley is crushed into a coarse flour and mixed with warm water where the enzymes convert the starch to sugar and create a sweet liquid called wort.

Question 5

If not malted, how are other grains processed for fermentation when making whiskey?

Answer 5

Other grains are crushed, mixed with water and cooked at high temps to convert starch into a soluble form.

Some malted barley is added to this liquid, the enzymes help convert the starch to sugar.

Question 6

How is whiskey aged?

Answer 6

Most whiskeys are matured in oak barrels for several years - distillers want a balance between oak flavors and flavors from the grains.

Question 7

Where does Bourbon most often come from and what are the requirements to be called Bourbon?

Answer 7

The majority of Bourbon is made in Kentucky (but does not have to be).

It must be at least 51% corn, matured in new oak barrels, and no more than 80% abv.

Question 8

What are the requirements when making Tennessee Whiskey?

Answer 8

• Can only be made in Tennessee
• Must be at least 51% corn
• Matured in new charred-oak barrels
• Must be filtered through maple-wood charcoal as newly made spirit before going in the barrels (Lincoln County Process)

Question 9

What are the requirements for Rye Whiskey?

Answer 9

Must be 51% rye grains (gives these whiskies a spicy flavor).

Rye whiskey is characterized by spicy, lemon zest, rye-bread aromas.

Question 10

What type of whiskey are often blends of a small amount of a very pronounced whiskey with a light whiskey made of corn.

Answer 10

Canadian Rye Whisky

The flavoring whiskies used are often made from rye.

Question 11

What are the requirements for Single Malt Scotch Whisky?

Answer 11

Single = One distillery. Malt = Malted Barley. Can only be made using malted barley, and must be distilled using a pot still, must be matured minimum 3 years in oak barrels. Must be the product of one distillery, but can have blends of ages. Known for malt/cereal flavors. May have peat aromas, most are aged in second hand barrels first used for bourbon or sherry

Question 12

Define:

Peat

Answer 12

Damp, partial decayed vegetation cut from ground, dried, and burnt to produce aromatic smoke (used to as fuel to heat grains at the end of malting) adds smokey flavor

Question 13

What is a blend of malt and grain whisky from different distilliers in Scotland called?

Answer 13

Blended Scotch Whisky

Question 14

Describe the characteristics of Irish Whiskeys?

Answer 14

• Most are a blend of pot and column still spirits
• Typically lighter in style than Scotch whisky
• Malt whiskeys are typically triple rather than double distilled in pot stills
• Commonly use unmalted barley (gives spicy, fruity, oily aromas)

Question 15

Describe the characteristics of whisky made in Japan.

Answer 15

They are made using the Scottish production model, but tend to have purer style and less malty cereal flavors.

Question 16

What are flavoring grains?

Answer 16

A combination of grains used in whiskey to add extra flavor and character to whiskey.

The combination of grains producers used is called a mash bill.

Question 17

What are some sources of flavors used in making Scotch Whiskies?

Answer 17

• Using peat as a fuel to heat the grains, inparts a smoky flavor
• Shape of the pot still influences the aromas, a shorter still produces more pronounced aromas
• Source of the oak used, second hand barrels are most often used

Question 18

Describe the flavors imparted on Scotch whiskies depending on the barrels used.

Answer 18

• Bourbon barrels give coconut, vanilla and spice aromas
• Sherry barrels from the wine region of Jerez in Spain give aromas of dried fruit and orange peels
• Use of wood ‘finishing barrels’ allow some of the liquid in the staves to come out and add flavor

Question 19

What are the 5 whisky regions in Scotland?

Answer 19

• Islay
• Highland
• Campbeltown
• Speyside
• Lowland

When listed on the label, this tells the consumer where the distillery is located.

Question 20

What does the number of years aged tell us about the whisky?

Answer 20

It tells us the age of the youngest whisky used in the blend.

Question 21

What does Blended Scotch Whisky tell us on the label?

Answer 21

The whisky is was made from a blend of malt and grain whisky, in Scotland.

Question 22

What does the word single indicate on the label?

Answer 22

The whisky is produced entirely at one distillery.

Question 23

What is a malt scotch whisky?

Answer 23

The whisky was made from malted barley and distilled in pot stills, in Scotland.

Question 24

What term do distillers use to indicate that the whisky was transferred into a seperate set of Sherry barrels after the main maturation time?

Answer 24

Sherry Cask Finish

Question 25

What technique is used to stop a whisky from becoming hazy?

Answer 25

Chill-Filtration

Some producers feel this technique may remove flavors and texture.

Question 26

What does it mean if you see Natural Color on the label?

Answer 26

All color comes from the oak barrels used.

Question 27

What term is used to describe an undiluted whisky?

Answer 27

Cask Strength

Question 28

What is Single Barrel Bourbon?

Answer 28

Bourbon made in one barrel the producer considers to be very good.

Question 29

What does the term Small Batch indicate?

Answer 29

A blend from a small number of select casks.

Question 30

When the acidic residue from the column still has been added back to the fermenter, this is called?

Answer 30

Sour Mash

This is widely used in American whiskey production.